With the self-assessment deadline looming, we set out five quirky tips for
cutting the amount you pay.

With the January 31 tax deadline fast approaching, we look at five ways that people can cut this year's tax bill.

Claim back your National Trust membership

Many higher-rate taxpayers fail to reclaim a tax rebate after giving money to charity. If you have signed a Gift Aid declaration, this effectively boosts the value of your donation by enabling the charity concerned to reclaim basic-rate tax (at 20pc) on this money. What is less widely publicised is that higher-rate taxpayers can reclaim the rest of the tax they have paid on their donation by including details in their self-assessment tax return. Often it is those who just make occasional donations to charity who overlook this fact. Also, many may not realise that buying annual membership of the National Trust or English Heritage counts as a charitable donation, as do entrance fees to most zoos.

Claim back your heating bills

If you work from home on a freelance or self-employed basis – even part-time – you can offset a portion of your utility bills against your tax bill. This doesn't just include heating and lighting bills but telephone and broadband costs too. How much you can claim depends on how much of the home running costs are used for business purposes. This doesn't apply to those who are employed, but if they are working from home they could ask their employer to contribute to such costs.

This doesn't apply to all workers, only those who are required to wear a uniform to work. However, the definition of uniform is suitably broad, and will also include shop assistants, say, who are required to wear branded T-shirts. If your employer requires you to wear such clothing, and you have to buy, clean, repair and replace it, you can claim tax relief on these costs. For most this is £60 - but some occupations (in the building trade, for example) have a higher allowance of £140. This means a higher-rate taxpayer would be able to claim £56. Remember, it's possible to backdate claims for up to five years (including the current tax year), potentially giving a tax break in excess of £250.

Reclaim subscription costs

Those subscribing to a trade journal can offset costs as a legitimate business expense. This can include iPad or Kindle subscriptions, or even a newspaper if you can justify it as a necessary business expense. However, while the self-employed only have to prove this purchase is "wholly and exclusively" for their work (i.e. not just for fun), those who are employed also have to prove it is a necessary purchase in order for them to carry out their job.

Travel expenses

If you are self-employed you can't claim for the commute between your home and place of work. But lots of self-employed people work from home so can claim for journeys to visit customers, clients or suppliers. Keep records meticulously, though. In addition, you may also be able to offset items such as car breakdown cover against this bill.